Dear Family and Friends,
I hope I have your attention and that you haven’t given up on me. I really go into my social zombie motif when too much is going on. I have to get this off tonight for several reasons—I have the help of some steroids from todays chemo, I have my regular keyboard, and we are off for Houston, and then the Holy Land for 12 days. So, I do want to make contact, and know I need to. I am especially happy to tell you that we are now transitioned to chemo at home in Marin. I am “almost” giddy about being able to do my chemo. The new program is going well, and my tumor markers are slowly lowering. I have the process for 2 consecutive days every two weeks, and I do feel more energy in the second week.
Last week we traveled to Chicago to work with Dr. Deng, a Chinese acupuncturist. We have experienced the winter between NY and now Chicago. We have good warm clothes from MN days. It was fun to see Jack and Kathy Berkemeyer, 40 yr. USF friends. Sue and Richard, watch out if you read this, because we will be going back.When we got home we had a busy but fun weekend as Luke came home for overnight and to pick up his dog Mary Jane, who has been visiting us, and many noble friends in our travels. To our surprise, Sean McGivern, a cousin’s son, Luke’s age was also in the city and was able to have a short visit, and of course, Ellen joined us. Sun. my very close SCL friends Sr. Noreen made a huge effort to get here for a visit. She could only stay overnight, but we had non-stop talk. Clark had some kind of a once every 10 yr. “sinking spell”, and slept about 24 hrs. and was better in 2-3 days. It is so unusual for him to be sick, neither of us know much to do.
Several of the side effects of the chemo, and the cancer have really slowed me down, and while that isn’t too much fun, the limitations are crystal clear. The first life-style effects were that I was unusually light headed and dizzy. So, my walking was limited. I was also very anemic and really short on breath and stamina. I also have lost weight and muscle tone, so those area all projects to work on. My last trip to NY I had a 2 unit transfusion of red blood cells, so that has really helped. I also felt like I shouldn’t be driving in those first weeks, so I didn’t even do short errands for a while. I now am very much better, and feel confident in necessary day driving. I have had to miss my Book Club, because I haven’t been reading, driving, and am on sheer will or adrenaline 2nd wind after about 7 o’clock. Tonight, the drugs are actually keeping me up. Tennis has been one of the hardest things, but as I say, it is very obvious, and pathetic that it will be a while before I can play. I have a few schemes in that direction. I haven’t been to my Tai Chi class for months, but also hope to have a Fri. home, so I can go.
So, I am forgetting lots of details, but we travel to Houston Fri. and will see Clark’s brother John, wife, Kathy, and later, after spring break, more family. Our trip to Israel/Jordan is with a group, through John and Kathy’s parish, so it will be fun to have special travel time with them.
Please know I do love to hear from you, and spend this time together. Please do keep us in your prayers as we do you. Special Holy Land prayers will be offered for all of you.
Love
Annie/Noel
noelstanton 
Great to hear from you Annie!😊 My prayers for a rapid recovery are with you!! Glad to hear you’re feeling a bit better and are looking forward to reengaging tennis🎾 . I look forward to your Blog entries and hearing how you are fairing!
Love,
Steve
Road King
“The Man who fights for his ideals, is the Man who is alive!”
(Cervantes’ “Don Quixote”)
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 07:17:20 +0000
To: sperryman@hotmail.com
Noel, I’m happy I found a way to check up on you. But I don’t write on Facebook. Do you have a more private means, like email? Love, your old pal, Deedee
I am sooooo glad to hear from you, Noel. Honestly, I dreamt about you the other night, something I NEVER do, so I know it was really disturbing and worrying me. But it sounds as if there is new life and hope, and prayers are working. I look forward to hearing about your trip.
Hope you can enjoy your trip to Israel -Jordan.
We (Lynn, Edna, & i ) just got home from movie ” Son of God.”. It was REALLY good. More later. Love to you and Clark. Deedee Casey
Dearest Noel, sending you much love and good energy for your trip. May you be blessed with many hours of good energy and healing. Love, s. Lynn Casey
We are so glad to hear your news, Noel, and wish you and Clark a wonderful trip to the Holy Land!
All our best wishes and prayers, Elmer, Jean, Robert, Laurel, Amanda, Hannah, and Isabel
Hi, we are in Mexico but will back in Lake Bluff in April….is Dr. Deng in Lake Forest, Illinois??? if so I have gone to him and of course we are 5 minutes from there….If you get back near us please let us know. Until then have a wonderful trip.
Lots of love and prayers,
Sue and Richard
I like reading your blog, Noel, and following your path with much sympathy! It sounds as though you have had difficult times, and I hope the good progress with new chemo treatment continues. Your writing with such candor makes it possible for all of us to understand what this scary illness and medicine put you, and many others, through. It’s very generous of you to share. Wishing you and Clark the best, and looking forward to a travel diary entry soon! Sue Sheppard
Such good news that the markers are down. And now off to the Holy Lands. Have a wonderful trip walking in God’s footsteps.
Wonderful to hear about doing chemo at home and that your markers are down. Know that the Holy Land will be inspirational and prayerful. Enjoy every minute. You are always in our prayers.
Good to hear how things are going Noel. I hope you and Clark had a great trip to the Holy Land.
Go Johnnies!
We hope your Holy Lands trip was wonderful and look forward to hearing all about it.
It was so good to see you both. We hope the trip to Israel was great. Kathy & Jack
A note at Easter-tide to let you know that the Stanton family continues very much in my prayers.